Glasgow Building Preservation Trust

25/09/2026

This has been keeping us and our partners at Archaeology Scotland busy the last few weeks. More soon on that, but in the meantime, huge thanks to Prof. Chris Whatley (author of the book), Carolyn Wilson (Rebel History), playwright Davey Anderson for the amazing 'Tam Harvie's D**e', and artist Fiona Fleming. We wouldn't have been able to pull this off without the support of local councillors Baillie Linda Pike and Laura Docherty, funding from the Local Area Partnership and the generosity of Parkhead Hub staff, Glasgow Life Libraries and Glasgow Museums staff - you were legends. It was a tight timescale leading up to Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival but we made it!

20/09/2026

🙌 Final Day of Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival 2026. Let’s Go!!

We can’t believe we’re almost at the end of this year’s festival. But don’t worry, there is still so much to see all across the city today. From building tours, trails, workshops, talks, family friendly events and more – there are so many ways to explore Glasgow’s fascinating heritage and culture. What will you discover?

➡️ Head over to the 'What's On' page of glasgowdoorsopendays.org and click the ‘Sunday 20 Sept’ filter to see everything happening today: https://www.glasgowdoorsopendays.org.uk/whats-on

💛 Today is also the final day you can donate to our Crowdfunder. If you've had a great time learning about the city’s heritage at the festival, we’d be deeply grateful for your support. Every donation, no matter how small, will go towards helping Glasgow Building Preservation Trust support vital festival operations into next year and beyond.

Donate here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/gdodf-2026-crowdfunder

Thank you!

Images: GDODF 2026. Photo Tiu Makkonen

19/09/2026

👋 We’re almost at the end of our Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival Crowdfunder campaign. Help us with a final push!

Can you help us reach our £5,000 target by the end of tomorrow?

Your donation will help Glasgow Building Preservation Trust keep Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival free and accessible to all, supporting the future of a festival that celebrates Glasgow’s buildings, heritage and communities.

With funding increasingly challenging to secure, we’re asking our audiences and wider community to help keep the Festival thriving for years to come.

Our huge thanks to everyone who has supported our campaign so far and left such lovely messages on our campaign page.

💛 If you haven't had a chance to donate yet, we'd be incredibly grateful for your support. Click the link to donate: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/gdodf-2026-crowdfunder

Thank you!

Video credit:

The GBPT festival team need your help to raise an incredible £5,000 by 20 September to keep Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival thriving.

17/09/2026

🎉 GLASGOW DOORS OPEN DAYS FESTIVAL IS HERE!

Today marks the official start of the Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival 2026. From 17–20 September, explore the places, spaces and stories that have shaped our city as part of this year’s theme: 'Glasgow Goes Out: The Places That Made Us'.

Discover iconic venues, hidden gems and fascinating spaces across the city – from legendary music and entertainment venues to historic buildings, gardens, walking tours and community spaces.

And if you didn’t manage to book a ticket, don’t worry! There are still dozens of free drop-in events available, with no pre-booking required. Just turn up, explore somewhere new and be part of the festival. 🙌

🎟️ With 67+ events already sold out, places are going fast – but there’s still plenty to discover.
📍 Events are taking place across Glasgow from the north, south, east and west to the city centre.
👉 Check out the full programme and find out what’s happening near you:
www.glasgowdoorsopendays.org.uk

🌟 With very special thanks to this year’s funders:
Glasgow Life, Glasgow CityHeritage Trust, Glasgow City Council, Culture & Business Scotland and University of Glasgow.

🌟 A huge thank you to our 2026 sponsors:
McAllister Litho Glasgow Limited (Official Print Sponsor), NBM Construction Cost Consultants, Narro Associates, John Gilbert Architects, Page\Park, Collective Architecture, Tigerbond and Gardiner & Theobald.

Image: Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren joins Festival Manager Yvonne Caddell, Festival Volunteers and the King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut team at King Tut’s for an official photo call. Photo: Scott Cadenhead.

15/09/2026

📖 Once upon a time in the east.... 'Lang Tam' Harvie was a distillery owner and spirit merchant in Glasgow who owned the Westhorn Estate in the early 1800s. He constructed 12ft high walls to stop the people of Glasgow walking along the river in front of his grand house and in doing so earned the ire of many Glaswegians....

🪏To find out what happened next*, come along to our site and visit the excavations (https://maps.app.goo.gl/cZJMej8NUzUKvBur8?g_st=ic). You can also attend the array of FREE talks, walks, tours, sketching workshops and even a specially written play.

Some events are booking preferred but we'll hold back a few extra tickets for the drop ins. Don't miss Prof Chris Whatley's talk to kick us off this Thursday (1pm at Parkhead Library). , this is one you don't want to miss. And bring along your pals, even the westenders (if they're well behaved).

More info here: https://www.glasgowdoorsopendays.org.uk/events/parkhead-library---harvies-dyke-glasgows-forgotten-triumph

* no spoilers, but things didn't end well for Mr Harvie.

Many thanks to the Calton and Shettleston Local Area Partnerships for their support.

Archaeology Scotland, Clutha Archaeology Group, Glasgow Archaeological Society The Govan Stones Project, Thriving Places - Parkhead, Dalmarnock & Camlachie, Clyde Gateway

14/09/2026

We are exciting to announce that we are seeking to acquire three derelict Category B-listed former janitor's houses from Glasgow City Council as part of a project to restore and retrofit them into low-carbon social housing. The houses are located adjacent to Cuthbertson Primary School in Govanhill, Royston Primary School, and the former St James' Primary School in Calton.

Over the past two years, we have completed a feasibility study and extensive surveys for the project while leveraging our expertise to secure funding for the redevelopment works. We are now working closely with a design team led by Hamilton Hay Van Jonker (HHVJ) to develop the designs further. Under these plans, the homes will be given extensive repairs and sustainability improvements so that they can be brought back into use as low-carbon social housing.

We will use our own resources, and heritage funding from Glasgow City Council and other sources, to redevelop the buildings and sell them on to three local housing associations to provide homes for people on their waiting lists. This project is being supported by Dentons solicitors who will provide legal services to GBPT.

A decision regarding the proposed off-market sales of these three properties will be made by the council at a Contracts and Property Committee meeting on 17 September.

Learn more about the project here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/bid-to-transform-former-glasgow-janitors-houses-into-low-carbon-social-housing

Glasgow Building Preservation Trust (GBPT) is seeking to acquire three former janitor's houses from Glasgow City Council as part of a project to restore and return these historic but derelict buildings back into family homes. The Category B-listed properties are located on the sites of the former St

05/08/2026

🥳 Its National Playday!

Every year, across the UK, Playday asks families, community leaders and everyone working with children and young people to promote and champion the importance of play. Last month GBPT and Sauchiehall Street Culture and Heritage District asked some of our friends out to play....you can see the results in our video!

You can find out more about Playday here: https://www.playscotland.org

Play Scotland The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland The National Lottery Heritage Fund PEEK - Possibilities for Each and Every Kid

05/08/2026

⚡️ The Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival programme is now LIVE – and bookings are open! ⚡️

Discover Glasgow for free this September.

Scotland's largest free heritage and community festival returns from 17–20 September 2026, inviting you to step – or wheel – behind the scenes of the city.
Explore 150+ fascinating buildings, hidden spaces, factories, theatres, museum stores, and architectural and cultural gems, many of which are rarely open to the public.

Presented by Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, the festival celebrates Glasgow's remarkable built and cultural heritage, bringing people together through shared stories, spaces and experiences.

Get ready for four exciting days of:
🏛️ Open buildings
🚶🏽‍♀️ Guided walks & talks
🎭 Performances, exhibitions & screenings
🙌 Hands-on workshops for all ages
🤹‍♀️ Family-friendly activities and more!

Our main Festival Hub returns to the Advanced Research Centre (ARC) at the University of Glasgow, where you'll find an inspiring programme of talks, children's activities and engaging discussions centred on this year's festival theme: 'Glasgow Goes Out: The Places That Made Us.' The full talks programme will be announced on 10 August.

We're also delighted to launch a brand-new Mini Festival Hub at Edward House, delivered in partnership with the Sauchiehall Street: Culture and Heritage District.

🎟️ Bookings are now LIVE!

Many events are free to drop into, but some require advance booking. Be sure to check the booking information on each event page to reserve your free place.
We can't wait to welcome you to this year's celebration of Glasgow's incredible architecture, heritage and culture.

Explore the full programme at https://www.glasgowdoorsopendays.org.uk/

Trailer:



Doors Open Days Scottish Civic Trust Glasgow City Council Glasgow City Heritage Trust People Make Glasgow Visit Glasgow

03/08/2026

We are looking for new board members to help shape the future of Glasgow’s historic buildings and heritage.

For over 40 years, we’ve rescued and repurposed buildings across the city, from The Briggait and Castlemilk Stables to Glasgow’s blue police boxes and Kelvingrove Bandstand. We also introduced Doors Open Days to the UK and continue to deliver the much-loved Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival every September.

No previous trustee experience is required. We’re looking for passionate people from a range of backgrounds, with particular interest in applicants with experience in finance, law or fundraising/philanthropy.

We especially welcome applications from people from minority ethnic backgrounds as we work to build a board that reflects Glasgow’s diversity.

Deadline for submissions: Thursday 3 September 2026 at 5pm

Find out more and apply: https://gbpt.org/home-2/vacancies/

30/07/2026

Tomorrow – Digging Deeper quick-fire talks from the River Clyde

Our Heritage Engagement Manager Ingrid Shearer will be one of eight speakers taking part in a series of quick-fire, ten-minute talks from people researching the history of Glasgow’s River Clyde in surprising and interesting ways.

The event is organised by Who owns the Clyde from The Empire Cafe and takes place tomorrow at The Briggait.

📆 Friday, 31 July, 6 –7.30pm
📍 The Briggait

Book a free ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/digging-deeper-quick-fire-talks-from-the-river-clyde-tickets-1990071537540?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

A series of quick-fire talks from people researching the history of Glasgow’s River Clyde in surprising and interesting ways.